William c



(No Model.)

W. O. WOOD.

SPINNING TOP. 155255355. Patented 055. 3, 1882.

Wi trkcsses.

Invenaor.

. UNITE STATES SPINNING-TOP.

$PEGIFIQATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 265,355, dated October 3, 1882.

Application filed April 1, 1882.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM C. WOOD, of the city of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Spinning-Tops, of which the following is a specification, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in WhlCll- Figure 1 represents a vertical section, and Fig. 2 an Outline view, of the entire device.

The object of my invention is to produce a cheap and durable toy in the form of a top which will spin or revolve for a greater length of time than those now in use when both have received the same relative impetus.

My invention consists in the construction of a hell or cone shaped top, A, (shown in Fig. 1,) having an enlarged or heavily-balanced chine, B, which is located below the bearing-point U, which point is poised upon a step, G, at the apex ot'a pedestal or column, I), in such a manner as to render to the top; when at rest, the property of stable equilibrium. Hence the same will continue to revolvelong after the ordinary top of the same dimensions would fall from insufficient motion to sustain itin an erect position if resting upon its bottom point or below the center of gravity. Fig. 2 is an outline view of the same, A being the top, having at the upper side an elongated barrel, H, for receiving the cord for putting itin motion,

and at the rim or chine it is provided with a' heavy bead, B, into which is stored most of the power derived from the string or cord in question, and is expended to the best possible advantage.

To facilitate the act of spinning, the top is provided with a loose spindle, E, which is provided at the bottom with a suitable point, C, to rest upon step G, upon which it revolves. From thepoint G upward the spindle swells to such proportions as to prevent it from being removed from the receptacle F, the same being contracted at the top for this purpose. After (NO model.)

this part of the spindle is inserted, so that the top and pedestalbecome virtually one article, and can be so moved from place to place. The top of spindle E is provided with a thumbscrew nut, J, or other fastening, which prevents the top from coming oh, and at the same time serves to hold it in an upright position by the thumb and finger of one hand, while the cord is being drawn by the other hand as the top is being put in motion by being thus unwound therefrom, after which the thumbscrew is released, and the spindle takes the motion derived from the top, which revolves around it and rests upon a suitable collar, L, formed on the spindle, as shown.

It may here be stated that the web which unites the body of the top and the ring B can be made of various materials and in various shapes, and arms may be used instead of a web, or that a series Of balls may be used instead of the ring. Therefore,

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,

1. The top A, revolving around or with loose spindle E, and having its main inertia ring or device B located at the outer rim or chine Ot'A, below the resting-point O of spindle E, to poise on its step when at rest, as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination of receptacle F with the bottom of spindle E, as shown, whereby the spindle is prevented from flying Off from the step while the top is being put in motion.

3. The combination of top A, spindle E, receptacle F, step G, and pedestal D, all as arranged and held together, for the purpose set forth.

WILLIAM C. WOOD.

Witnesses GEO. H. HALLETT, N. F. WOOD. 

